Location: I Know Nothink ... NOTHINK! Joined: 07.27.2007
Mar 10 @ 12:57 PM ET
These Buffalo Sabres are a team that are well situated to take the next step, but who require significant upgrades in two meaningful positions before that can happen: a top LHD and a sniper.
Missing those elements forces this team to play over its real capabilities, with the result that they crumble when they are pressed. Their coach is not the sort that can provide them the mental strength they need to play over their real capabilities, and, in fact, the complicated nature of his system may add to that burden instead of relieving them from it.
The GM has tried but has failed to find the Left Side Anchor for the D. Whether he's to be blamed for his failing effort is a question of perspective.
Bottom line, the Sabres still need to make changes in order to reverse the long streak of mising the playoffs. That long streak has made for a very cynical and pessimistic fanbase. But the team has shown that they are not as far away as their fanbase tends to think, and that they can be very dangerous if they are able to find the right pieces.
These Buffalo Sabres are a team that are well situated to take the next step, but who require significant upgrades in two meaningful positions before that can happen: a top LHD and a sniper.
Missing those elements forces this team to play over its real capabilities, with the result that they crumble when they are pressed. Their coach is not the sort that can provide them the mental strength they need to play over their real capabilities, and, in fact, the complicated nature of his system may add to that burden instead of relieving them from it.
The GM has tried but has failed to find the Left Side Anchor for the D. Whether he's to be blamed for his failing effort is a question of perspective.
Bottom line, the Sabres still need to make changes in order to reverse the long streak of mising the playoffs. That long streak has made for a very cynical and pessimistic fanbase. But the team has shown that they are not as far away as their fanbase tends to think, and that they can be very dangerous if they are able to find the right pieces. - Der Kaiser
all I can say is gorges was mostly buffalo's top-pairing lhd last season and the much "revered" mike weber was on the bottom pair...this defense looks worse this year, and I don't think talent is the biggest issue
These Buffalo Sabres are a team that are well situated to take the next step, but who require significant upgrades in two meaningful positions before that can happen: a top LHD and a sniper.
Missing those elements forces this team to play over its real capabilities, with the result that they crumble when they are pressed. Their coach is not the sort that can provide them the mental strength they need to play over their real capabilities, and, in fact, the complicated nature of his system may add to that burden instead of relieving them from it.
The GM has tried but has failed to find the Left Side Anchor for the D. Whether he's to be blamed for his failing effort is a question of perspective.
Bottom line, the Sabres still need to make changes in order to reverse the long streak of mising the playoffs. That long streak has made for a very cynical and pessimistic fanbase. But the team has shown that they are not as far away as their fanbase tends to think, and that they can be very dangerous if they are able to find the right pieces. - Der Kaiser
Good perspective overall.
It's time for GMTM to shine in the offseason and find the right pieces even if he has to sell his soul to do it.
Location: Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Jack Eichel-, CA Joined: 02.11.2009
Mar 10 @ 1:01 PM ET
oops...my bad...
no need to get testy - Michael Pachla
To me it feels like the Blue Jackets are the Sabres in our Glory Days they better sit and relax and enjoy what they have lucky very special team to watch
These Buffalo Sabres are a team that are well situated to take the next step, but who require significant upgrades in two meaningful positions before that can happen: a top LHD and a sniper.
Missing those elements forces this team to play over its real capabilities, with the result that they crumble when they are pressed. Their coach is not the sort that can provide them the mental strength they need to play over their real capabilities, and, in fact, the complicated nature of his system may add to that burden instead of relieving them from it.
The GM has tried but has failed to find the Left Side Anchor for the D. Whether he's to be blamed for his failing effort is a question of perspective.
Bottom line, the Sabres still need to make changes in order to reverse the long streak of mising the playoffs. That long streak has made for a very cynical and pessimistic fanbase. But the team has shown that they are not as far away as their fanbase tends to think, and that they can be very dangerous if they are able to find the right pieces. - Der Kaiser
The right side of the sabres defense features zach bogosian at 5+ mil and cody franson at 3.3 mil. It is in fact just as much of a problem as the top LHD spot. In fact I would argue that if you added a second RHD in place of Bogosian the long term results might be better than getting an LHD. Instead of having one very good pair and 2 mediocre ones you can roll 2 pairs at reduced ice time and play them in situations that are suited to their strengths (risto gets more O-zone starts and minutes, new guy takes the heavy lifting on D-zone starts and minutes). Beyond that they absolutely need a puck mover. The amount of times this team ices the puck, turns it over or just gives it away trying to breakout of their zone is bordering on comical.
Im starting to buy more and more into the idea that theyd be better off with a "players" coach rather than tactician. You can still build the team based on certain tactics but maybe this core needs a gallant type
Im not sure how its a matter of perspective. Individual trades and value aside he's the guy responsible for building the defence and to date any additions he made (whether appropriate targets at the time or not) have been colossal blunders.
Agreed i dont put it on the "the streak" though. That died when ownership changed, darcy left. The pessimism and frustration comes from this team stalling and other rebuilding teams taking an extra step. Negativity is the lack of trust in the guy in charge who has to date yet to identify and/or acquire a legitimate top 4 d-man of any handedness.
all I can say is gorges was mostly buffalo's top-pairing lhd last season and the much "revered" mike weber was on the bottom pair...this defense looks worse this year, and I don't think talent is the biggest issue - Michael Pachla
These Buffalo Sabres are a team that are well situated to take the next step, but who require significant upgrades in two meaningful positions before that can happen: a top LHD and a sniper.
Missing those elements forces this team to play over its real capabilities, with the result that they crumble when they are pressed. Their coach is not the sort that can provide them the mental strength they need to play over their real capabilities, and, in fact, the complicated nature of his system may add to that burden instead of relieving them from it.
The GM has tried but has failed to find the Left Side Anchor for the D. Whether he's to be blamed for his failing effort is a question of perspective.
Bottom line, the Sabres still need to make changes in order to reverse the long streak of mising the playoffs. That long streak has made for a very cynical and pessimistic fanbase. But the team has shown that they are not as far away as their fanbase tends to think, and that they can be very dangerous if they are able to find the right pieces. - Der Kaiser
on the blueline...the point was that gorges saw most top-pairing minutes last season and the defense wasn't nearly as bad last year as this year...bogo and McCabe were the sabres best, most consistent pairing last season while Franson and weber played most of the third-pairing minutes...
on the blueline...the point was that gorges saw most top-pairing minutes last season and the defense wasn't nearly as bad last year as this year...bogo and McCabe were the sabres best, most consistent pairing last season while Franson and weber played most of the third-pairing minutes...
last season the d looked better than this group - Michael Pachla
i have a completely opposite take on it but i agree in some aspects they appear worse.
